For this episode of Art of the Kickstart, we spoke with Dave Zuverink of SlimFold™ to learn more about the Slim Pack. Tune in to learn more about designing a new product, relying on your network of previous backers to create a new product and how to launch multiple successful Kickstarter projects. Slim Pack Weatherproof Minimal Commuter Backpack by SlimFold

Key Crowdfunding Takeaways

How backer feedback often guides product decisions Why it’s important to listen to your audience during and after your Kickstarter campaign Where to start with designing a new product for Kickstarter What to expect when blogs and tech outlets cover your Kickstarter project How to calculate the size mailing list you need before launching on Kickstarter

Links

Slim Pack on Kickstarter http://www.slimfoldwallet.com/ Against the Odds: An Autobiography by James Dyson Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Connect with SlimFold™

SlimFold Wallet on Facebook @SlimFold on Twitter @slimfold on Instagram

Sponsors Art of the Kickstart is honored to be sponsored by The Gadget Flow, a product discovery platform that helps you discover, save, and buy awesome products. The Gadget Flow is the ultimate buyer's guide for cool luxury gadgets and creative gifts. Click here to learn more and list your product - use coupon code ATOKK16 for 25% off! Transcript View this episode's transcript

Roy:

Welcome to Art Of The Kickstart, your source for crowdfunding campaign success. I’m your host Roy Morejon, president of Command Partners, the top full-service crowdfunding marketing agency in the world. We have helped raised over $70 million for our clients since 2010. Each week I’ll interview a crowdfunding success story, an inspirational entrepreneur or a business expert in order to help take your startup to the next level with crowdfunding. Art Of The Kickstart is honored to be sponsored by The Gadget Flow, a product discovery platform that helps you discover, save and buy awesome products. The Gadget Flow is the ultimate buyer’s guide for cool luxury gadgets and creative gifts. To learn more visit thegadgetflow.com. Let’s get on with the show.

Welcome to another edition of Art Of The Kickstart. Today I am joined by Dave Zuverink with the Slim Pack by SlimFold™. Dave thank you so much for joining us

Dave:

Hey, thanks for having me Roy.

Roy:

Dave, you’re a serial Kickstarter. Tell us about the history, where does it all start?

Dave:

I actually started the company back in 2010, there wasn’t really Kickstarter around. I created a very slim wallet, it’s actually the thinnest wallet in the world, made from Tyvek. I was selling those at street fairs in San Francisco, Renegade Craft Fair, stuff like that. Once Kickstarter came around I launched my follow up product on there, which was the SlimFold™ Micro. From there the first campaign was a really good match for my backers, and continued on to create the company out of that.

Roy:

That’s [inaudible 00:01:58]. Yeah, you’ve done 2 previous campaigns all around a wallet, now you’re running right now this Slim Pack weatherproof minimal commuter backpack. How has your product line evolved? Has it been from the consumer feedback and tapping into the community of backers that you’ve build?

Dave:

Yeah exactly. This latest project did kind of take turn because I had previously done 2 different wallets and I did a survey actually after my second campaign and asked folks, “What should I make next?” I was expecting a taller wallet, shorter wallet, lots of different things. Meanwhile I had been looking for a backpack at the time, I actually asked for one for Christmas for my wife. I couldn’t find one that I liked so I put that on there as one potential option and to my surprise it came out as the number one request. Really that set me on the path to create this different product, even though I knew it was going to be more diff...